There are currently three faces of the ministry we are working with, "Bridges to the Nations". First is a beach ministry reaching out people at a section of a Jomtien Beach which attracts homeless, drug addicted, alcoholic, and homosexual (and all of the above) Thai people, along with gay tourists looking to "hook up" (for a fee). We arrive on the cleaner side of the beach at scheduled times in the week to bring food, clean water, clothes, and offer prayer. For those interested in turning away from their current way of life, we offer help in various ways such as getting their ID card (which is necessary to get a legit job), helping to find jobs, and sometimes simply buying them a bus ticket back home (as many of these people have moved here at the prospect of making lots of money, only to find themselves destitute). This ministry bears great fruit, as we meet at scheduled times of the week and always have a big turn-out. There is a couple (15 and 16 years old), for example, who have been coming to church and have just found jobs including accommodation out of the city (which is a huge answer to prayer). We are trying to get their ID cards so they can make more money, and will buy them their bus fare to get there. We are praying about/planning to grow this to other beaches in the city as well!
The next "face" of our ministry is "True Friend Church". It is a Sunday afternoon church service which meets in a hotel conference room in the city. Randy Nelson, along with his wife Edie, head up a lot of the projects here and pastor this church. It is made up of both Thai and "farong" (white people). Locals, some of whom have been saved out of prostitution, drug addiction, and homelessness come to worship, fellowship, and hear the WORD alongside missionaries from different ministries, denominations, and countries. Thai churches in Pattaya enjoy great unity, although I am told this hasn't always been the case. In the past different ministries tried to accomplish similar goals, but often stepped on each others' toes in the process. Now there is a common vision to see Pattaya become redeemed, as a light to Thailand. That Pattaya would be a place where locals are saved, trained, and sent out- even to the world. There is a long way to go to accomplish this on a large scale, but there is hope because it IS beginning to happen.
The third "face" is a "welcome center" (not yet formally named). It is a leased building next to the bus stop where we will offer support and direction to Thai people coming to the city to make money. Already there are many local and national business connections, and the team are hoping it will be a great way to put them to use. This is Nathanael and Luke's main area of focus at the moment, as we have a large remodel project planned. We are just beginning demolition, and hope to have it completed within a couple weeks. If you feel led, this project will cost over a $1000 USD. Although we they do have some money set aside for it, more needs to come in to complete it.
No comments:
Post a Comment